Gu Rongjin finally looked satisfied. "That’s more like you. Being fierce and sharp-clawed suits you better than acting like some listless, hollow doll."
Mu Yuanzhi set down her chopsticks, and Gu Rongjin immediately raised his paper fan to defend himself, terrified she might punch him.
"Thank you, Gu Rongjin," Mu Yuanzhi said, gazing at the pastries before her. Her vision blurred slightly. Having him chatter away beside her had allowed her to relax more than she had in a long time.
"That's the second time you've thanked me today. I'm not used to this. Is my luck about to turn?" Gu Rongjin started counting on his fingers as if he were truly gifted with foresight, then turned to ask the Grand Preceptor beside him if he looked particularly radiant tonight.
"Young Prince, you are indeed glowing."
"See? I knew my luck was changing."
Just as Gu Rongjin turned back around, the Grand Preceptor added, "It looks as though your Red Phoenix Star is stirring."
Before the words had even faded, and while Gu Rongjin was still trying to process them, he heard Pei Yunxi call out his name: "Xier thinks Princess Yuanzhi and Prince Jin are a perfect match!"
What?!
The entire hall fell silent. Mu Yuanzhi was stunned and looked up at the Emperor. She had been so preoccupied with Gu Rongjin that she hadn’t heard what was being discussed near the Emperor at all.
Wasn't she still betrothed to Xiao Yichen? Surely Pei Yunxi wasn't foolish enough to blurt out something so thoughtless?
Everyone present began discreetly observing the Emperor's expression. Even if they had doubts, no one dared to speak up first; in fact, there was a subtle, growing realization of what the Emperor intended. It was clear the Emperor wanted to back out of the arrangement—he didn't want Grand Secretary Xiao to marry Princess Yuanzhi anymore. Anyone with eyes could see that the Emperor now favored the real little princess, Pei Yunxi, above all else. Naturally, a prize son-in-law like Grand Secretary Xiao had to be saved for his most beloved daughter. It was impossible that he would still want Xiao to marry Mu Yuanzhi.
When the Emperor had first bestowed the marriage, he hadn't specified which princess, so there was no question of breaking a formal promise.
Mu Yuanzhi felt a surge of exasperation. Even if Xiao Yichen were to marry Pei Yunxi, what did that have to do with her? She locked eyes with the Emperor, but she could not decipher his meaning. A monarch’s heart is unfathomable; his deep eyes were like bottomless pools. She couldn't tell if he was looking at her or at Gu Rongjin, or what emotions lay beneath that gaze.
The Emperor quickly turned his attention to Xiao Yichen. "What does Grand Secretary Xiao think?"
Xiao Yichen clearly had not expected to be singled out. He glanced back at Mu Yuanzhi, but from her expression, he saw not a trace of panic. Just moments ago, she had been laughing and chatting with Gu Rongjin. She never used to be like that; in the past, she had looked down on Gu Rongjin so much that if she wasn't cursing him to his face, it was considered a good day.
Because he didn't answer immediately, the Emperor added, "You are to be wed to Xier. Xier, out of consideration for the order of seniority, feels her elder sister should have her marriage settled first. What is your opinion?"
Just like that, the Emperor effortlessly shifted the betrothal of Mu Yuanzhi and Xiao Yichen over to Pei Yunxi, without even needing a formal announcement. *How typical,* Mu Yuanzhi mocked inwardly. *This Pei Yunxi, she gets the benefit and then acts all innocent.*
As for Gu Rongjin, the capital's number one playboy, noble ladies usually avoided him like the plague, though common girls often hoped to marry into the Estate of the Prince of Pingnan and change their fates. Pei Yunxi’s intentions were as clear as day, yet she still put on an act of naive, worldly ignorance, as if she were genuinely worried for her "older sister" Mu Yuanzhi and didn't realize how bizarre it seemed to everyone else for her to be pushing Gu Rongjin forward.
Xiao Yichen withdrew his gaze from Mu Yuanzhi and said coolly, "This subject has no objections."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yunxi finally let out a sigh of relief. Seeing him staring so intently at Mu Yuanzhi earlier, she had been worried that he couldn't let go. So, Brother Chen really didn't like Mu Yuanzhi after all!
Mu Yuanzhi nearly laughed out loud. Of course he had no objections—he couldn't wait to shake off a clingy burden like her. As for whom she married, he certainly didn't care.
"Bang!" Pei Shangling slammed his hand on the table. "Little... How can Mu Yuanzhi marry Gu Rongjin? I don't agree!" In his agitation, he had almost used the address he once reserved for Mu Yuanzhi.
"Linger, Mother knows you are worried about your sister, but sit down first." Imperial Noble Consort De spoke up quickly to smooth things over, fearing the Emperor’s wrath. She had two sons and one daughter—though now, that daughter had changed from Mu Yuanzhi to Pei Yunxi.
Gu Rongjin laughed in his usual roguish manner. "What’s wrong with me? Is this Young Prince so offensive?"
His remark drew a roar of laughter.
"Of course not, Young Prince. How could you be offensive?"
"Exactly, the Young Prince is simply a man who knows how to cherish beauty."
As everyone whispered their sarcastic remarks, the Prince of Pingnan felt his face burn with shame and shot his son a fierce glare.
"Did... did I say something wrong?" Pei Yunxi asked, looking bewildered and helpless.
Pei Shangyan, sitting next to her, patted his sister’s hand and whispered, "You are still young and don't understand many things. That Gu Rongjin is no match for her. Your sister must not marry him." *How could Sister Zhi marry that wastrel? She is the treasure we have cherished since she was small!*
Pei Yunxi bit her lip in frustration, her eyes welling up as she gripped her handkerchief tightly.
Even though they were discussing the marriage of Mu Yuanzhi and Gu Rongjin, the Emperor didn't bother to consult either of them. "Prince Jin is also of age to be married. I do indeed have the intention of bestowing a princess upon him, to bring our families even closer."
Gu Rongjin’s mother, the Princess Consort of Pingnan, was the younger sister of the late Empress, which was the only reason their family could attend this banquet. In terms of status, his marrying a princess was not considered punching above his weight.
The Emperor’s words silenced Pei Shangling’s outburst, and he sat down, looking distracted. The Emperor had only said "a princess," not which one. If Mu Yuanzhi wouldn't marry him, then his little sister would have to. If it came down to a choice of one or the other, he would rather see Mu Yuanzhi marry Gu Rongjin. After all, his little sister had suffered for sixteen years; she shouldn't have to marry a wastrel and continue to suffer. Mu Yuanzhi was different—she had enjoyed sixteen years of prestige and favor, so it was only right that she take this marriage on for his sister!
Pei Shangyan, terrified that the Emperor might lose his head and betroth Pei Yunxi to Gu Rongjin, bowed hurriedly. "Father, by the rule of seniority, I and my brothers are not yet wed, either."
"The Crown Prince is right. However, a betrothal is just a betrothal; we can set the terms now. It would be the fortune of a lifetime for my son to marry Princess Yuanzhi."
The Prince of Pingnan shot his son a look, but Gu Rongjin pretended not to see it. *Are you kidding?* he thought. *If I say the wrong thing, Mu Yuanzhi might just poison me into silence! I’m not wading into this mess.*
The Prince of Pingnan fumed, wishing he could grab a stick and thrash his son if not for the crowd. *Useless brat!* What respectable family wanted a daughter to marry a spendthrift who spent his days at the Yihong House? It was a rare sign of favor from the Emperor; if he could just get a formal decree, he would have a virtuous daughter-in-law. Otherwise, he wouldn't know how to face his ancestors!